Centre of Excellence for Indigenous Mineral Development set up

Taking part in a 2015 discussion about the Ring of Fire are panelists Josh Hjartarson of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, George Darling of SNC-Lavalin, Paul Semple of Noront Resources, Moe Lavigne of KWG Resources and Martin Bayer, a lawyer with Weaver Simmons. ORG XMIT: POS1607161331310237Gino Donato/Sudbury Star file photo

Ottawa will pump more than $3.4 million into Manitoulin Island to establish a Centre of Excellence for Indigenous Mineral Development.

The goal of the Centre for Indigenous Mineral Development is to enhance the participation of the Indigenous people in the mines industry, as well as to assist industry and government through information sharing and best practice protocols with Indigenous engagement, federal officials said in a release Tuesday.

Access to information will help employers and prospective employees fill or secure jobs, and facilitate networking and business development opportunities.

The FedNor funding will support five initiatives that, among other things, will enable Waubetek Business Development Corporation to establish and operate a Centre of Excellence for Indigenous Mineral Development for four years.

Other funding recipients include LaCloche and Manitoulin Business Assistance Corporation, Sheshegwaning First Nation and March of Dimes Canada.

In addition to mining, the money will support the aquaculture and business sectors on the island.

Sudbury MP Paul Lefebvre.John Lappa/Sudbury Star

Paul Lefebvre, Sudbury MPP, made the announcement on behalf of Navdeep Bains, minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, and Minister responsible for FedNor.

“I am proud that our government is supporting Indigenous communities and local entrepreneurs in their efforts to strengthen the economy,” Lefebvre said. “These investments will not only help address gaps in the workforce and barriers to growth, it will also boost business development in Northern Ontario, creating jobs that will benefit the Manitoulin region.”

Martin Bayer

Martin Bayer, chair of the Waubetek Business Development Corporation, said First Nation leaders in the northeast asked the corporation in 2015 to develop a mining strategy.

The intent was to “help ensure meaningful engagement, build capacity and create much needed employment for our First Nation people and help foster more Indigenous businesses opportunities in the mining industry. The strategy was developed through engagement sessions with our community rights holders.

“Our First Nations’ primary interest is to ensure that we are adequately consulted when it comes to mining and exploration within our traditional territories and to ensure that we have more opportunities to participate in the benefits that might come from this development in a sustainable way, including meaningful jobs, business opportunities, joint management and care of the lands on which these projects operate.

Bayer said leaders hope a centre of excellence “would help our communities build capacity and advance our interests and build a clearinghouse of industry information about things like leading practices and processes that are needed by our First Nations. We are grateful that FedNor also sees the benefits of helping to establish a Centre of Excellence for Indigenous Minerals Development.”

Ottawa’s Prosperity and Growth Strategy for Northern Ontario outlines the Government of Canada’s approach to ensure the region can fully benefit from the national Innovation and Skills Plan. It is focused on three key economic development areas: supporting innovation; growing companies; and building stronger communities.

The funding announced Monday is provided through FedNor’s Community Futures and Northern Ontario Development Programs, which support projects that promote sustainable community economic development, enhance business development and growth, and facilitate innovation.